Artifacts lost during storm returned to Ortley Beach church

Nov. 15, 2012

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@jeanmikle

TOMS RIVER — Three candlesticks, two collection plates and a crucifix are among the items Toms River police have recovered from St. Elisabeth’s Chapel-by-the-Sea in Ortley Beach, which was destroyed by superstorm Sandy.

Dennis Bellars, who served as the small chapel’s warden for 17 years, said he was ecstatic when he received the artifacts Tuesday from police Sgt. Ralph Stocco.

Stocco, who discovered the items about 300 to 400 feet from where the chapel stood on 3rd Avenue, was married at the church about nine years ago, Bellars said.

“Even if they don’t find anything else, this is something, and we’re very, very grateful,” he said.

Detective Brian Lomer said police also found a large chair, which Bellars thinks is the bishop’s chair from the chapel, at the intersection of Washington and 3rd avenues, more than three blocks away. Lomer said the chair was found wedged beneath a house.

Bellars said he is still hopeful the chapel’s bell, salvaged from a shipwreck in the 1880s, might still be found.

St. Elisabeth’s, built in 1885, was thought to be the oldest building in Ortley Beach, and one of the oldest on the barrier island. A beloved landmark in the area, it was completely destroyed in the storm.

Since the chapel was destroyed, parishioners have been attending the 8:30 a.m. worship service at East Dover Baptist Church on Bay Avenue in Toms River.